Upgrade and save in CO2 emissions with SSAB EcoUpgraded concept

Together with our customers, SSAB continuously upgrades the material and design of applications. The benefits of upgrading to high-strength steel include reduced weight, improved fuel economy and extended product lifetime – all of which significantly contribute to reducing a product’s carbon footprint.

The EcoUpgraded concept aims to identify applications that show promise for reducing CO2 emissions during use. Looking at each specific application, SSAB can compare the potential CO2 savings in its use phase to the CO2 emitted during production, thereby identifying products that would benefit the most from an upgrade to high-strength steel.

1. How to save carbon dioxide

The SSAB EcoUpgraded concept helps save CO2 both in steel production and during the full lifetime of the end product. The material efficiency and transport efficiency both contribute to the CO2 savings.

With high-strength steel, the end product can be designed lighter (less steel produced). With wear-resistant, high-strength steel, the end product also lasts longer (longer service life). With lower weight, the end product will need less fuel for the same work (lower weight). Fewer trips for the same load is the result when the reduced own weight leads to increased payload (higher capacity).

2. Basket of CO2 savings

The CO2 savings differ for each application depending on whether or not the design is weight critical. In a non-weight critical design, the CO2 savings come from lower weight and less steel produced. If the weight of the design is critical, the higher capacity also contributes to the savings. In addition, the use of wear steel will contribute through a longer service life.

3. CO2 payback time

By upgrading with steel from SSAB, manufacturers will quickly be able to compensate for the CO2 emissions from steel production during the use of the product. And once the break-even point has been reached, the application will continue to deliver CO2 savings amounting to many times the original CO2 debt.

EcoUpgraded concept calculations and estimates

Application Examples

The amount of savings and payback time varies for each end product. We’ve gathered some examples from different industries – trailers and bodybuilders, trucks and buses, recycling, raw material handling, lifting, yellow goods and construction machinery and automotive – and calculated the typical savings.